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To the best of my knowledge you are the first to do such a course outline for this. I do think that it is commendable that you have taken on this project.
Over the years I have had people take my classes with both mental and physical disabilities. Only one or two at a time so there were no big problems encountered. The rest of the students helped out as needed.
Hope that no one finds fault with what I am going to say. The words might not be politically correct but I hope that everyone understands my intentions.
First there is no reason that "challenged " people cannot do bonsai. It might have to be modified a bit to suit their needs but that is ok.
Problem comes with trying to write a course for the physically and mentally challenged. Both are different problems and require different solutions.
A few years ago I taught a class to a group of people that had severe hearing problems. They had an interpreter who signed my lecture. I was trying to keep it simple and talked real slow. Finally the interpreter said "They are hard of hearing not stupid talk normal and I will keep up with you" It was a real wake up for me. Made me do a bit of thinking.
Students with attention deficit disorder would naturally have entirely different problems to be solved.
Each group would be entirely different.
Lumping mental and physical limitations together might just prove to be too big a job for you.
You might just try starting off with solutions for specific problems. For example a person with limited use of their hands due to arthritis would definitely have problems putting wire on branches. Showing them how to use weights and turnbuckles could help them bend the branch. By using a chop stick they could probably tighten a turnbuckle.
If you think about it there would be a complete course just for those that had mobility problems with their hands. Probably a different one for those in wheel chairs. (not a hard thing to do once the accessibility problem is addressed)
What I am trying to say is that each group would have special limitations. Each would be different. I don't think that everything could be addressed in one course outline. Not properly anyway.
It might be best to start small and do a better job.
I do wish you the best in your endeavor. It is a worthwhile project and something that is long overdue.
If there is anything that I can do to help out don't hesitate to ask.

5-Oct-2003	#3
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	To the best of my knowledge you are the first to do such a course outline for this. I do think that it is commendable that you have taken on this project. Over the years I have had people take my classes with both mental and physical disabilities. Only one or two at a time so there were no big problems encountered. The rest of the students helped out as needed. Hope that no one finds fault with what I am going to say. The words might not be politically correct but I hope that everyone understands my intentions. First there is no reason that "challenged " people cannot do bonsai. It might have to be modified a bit to suit their needs but that is ok. Problem comes with trying to write a course for the physically and mentally challenged. Both are different problems and require different solutions. A few years ago I taught a class to a group of people that had severe hearing problems. They had an interpreter who signed my lecture. I was trying to keep it simple and talked real slow. Finally the interpreter said "They are hard of hearing not stupid talk normal and I will keep up with you" It was a real wake up for me. Made me do a bit of thinking. Students with attention deficit disorder would naturally have entirely different problems to be solved. Each group would be entirely different. Lumping mental and physical limitations together might just prove to be too big a job for you. You might just try starting off with solutions for specific problems. For example a person with limited use of their hands due to arthritis would definitely have problems putting wire on branches. Showing them how to use weights and turnbuckles could help them bend the branch. By using a chop stick they could probably tighten a turnbuckle. If you think about it there would be a complete course just for those that had mobility problems with their hands. Probably a different one for those in wheel chairs. (not a hard thing to do once the accessibility problem is addressed) What I am trying to say is that each group would have special limitations. Each would be different. I don't think that everything could be addressed in one course outline. Not properly anyway. It might be best to start small and do a better job. I do wish you the best in your endeavor. It is a worthwhile project and something that is long overdue. If there is anything that I can do to help out don't hesitate to ask.